program director at Homeward NYC (dba of West End Residences HDFC, Inc.) - New York, New York, United States
West End Residences and our True Colors Housing Programs are now Homeward NYC!Our mission remains the same: to provide housing and wraparound services that empower homeless young mothers, LGBTQ young people and older adults to live life forward.We chose the name Homeward NYC to encompass the diverse communities we serve—and evoke the sense of a safe home where residents can take a breath, regroup, build skills and move forward.When we began in 1989 as West End Intergenerational Residence HDFC, our organization name reflected the building's address on West End Avenue. That site is transitional housing for homeless young mothers and their children, and long-term affordable housing for low-income and homeless older adults.We recognized a growing need and adapted our trauma-centered care model to create a first of its kind LGBTQ young adult supportive housing site. In 2011 we opened our first True Colors Housing location in West Harlem. In 2015 we opened a location in the Bronx. We organized the agency under the name West End Residences but recognized the name did not reflect our unified commitment to serving New York City's most vulnerable homeless individuals and families.In 2020, we began the process of creating a new, unifying agency name and website that reflected our commitment to professionalism and respectful care. Welcome to Homeward NYC! We currently have three locations: Homeward Upper West Side, serving young families and older adults; and Homeward West Harlem and Homeward Bronx serving LGBTQ young adults. At each of our housing sites, we offer support services that include case management, counseling, referrals, community-building activities and life skills programs.